Dogwood Health Trust and North Carolina General Assembly invest in proven program helping families stay together during times of crisis
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (July 30, 2026) — Eckerd Connects today announced that its Angel’s Watch program has received significant support from both philanthropic and public-sector partners, reflecting growing confidence in a proven approach to helping children remain safe while families navigate temporary crises.
Dogwood Health Trust has awarded $300,000 to support the continued operation of Angel’s Watch, while North Carolina’s newly enacted state budget includes an additional $100,000 appropriation for the program.
Together, these investments will help Angel’s Watch continue serving families across Western North Carolina while expanding access to a program that has demonstrated meaningful outcomes for children, parents and communities.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to remain safely connected to their family whenever possible,” said Dr. April Bragg, Senior Program and Strategy Officer at Dogwood Health Trust. “Angel’s Watch provides families with support before a temporary crisis becomes long-term separation, helping children experience greater stability while parents work toward reunification. Dogwood is proud to support this proven approach and help more children remain safely connected to their families.”
“Children have always held a special place in my heart, and I believe supporting foster children and the families who open their homes to them is one of the most meaningful investments we can make,” said Representative Jennifer Balkcom. “I was proud to work alongside Senator Moffitt to help secure this funding for Angel’s Watch, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on children and families in our community.”
“These investments reflect a shared belief that prevention works,” said Michael D. Smith, President and CEO of Eckerd Connects. “We’re deeply grateful to Dogwood Health Trust and to North Carolina’s legislative leaders for investing in children and families. When public and private partners come together behind evidence-based solutions, we create stronger families and stronger communities.”
Angel’s Watch provides voluntary, short-term care for children when parents face temporary crises such as hospitalization, substance use treatment, mental health emergencies, incarceration or housing instability. Rather than allowing a temporary crisis to become long-term family separation, the program provides children with safe, licensed care while parents receive support to stabilize and reunify with their families.
Demand for the program continues to exceed available resources. Over the past two years, Angel’s Watch has served nearly 90 families—far surpassing its original goal of serving 50—while receiving more than 100 additional referrals from families still seeking help.
The impact extends far beyond the numbers. Every $1 invested in Angel’s Watch helps avoid an estimated $11.20 in foster care costs, but the greatest return is harder to measure: children experience less trauma, parents can overcome temporary crises, and more families are able to stay together safely.
To hear directly from a mother whose family was transformed through Angel’s Watch, read her story here. While this story was written before Angel’s Watch received its latest grant, the need for funding continues to exceed available resources.
About Eckerd Connects
For nearly 60 years, Eckerd Connects has empowered children, families, young adults and job seekers to overcome barriers, realize their potential and build successful lives through workforce development, Job Corps, child and family services, juvenile justice, and behavioral health programs. As one of the nation’s largest non-profit providers of workforce development and one of the only national non-profit Job Corps operators, Eckerd Connects serves more than 250,000 individuals each year through direct services and workforce partnerships across 21 states and the District of Columbia. Through innovative, evidence-based programs and strong community partnerships, Eckerd Connects creates pathways to education, employment and lifelong success. Learn more at www.eckerd.org.
About Dogwood Health Trust
Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and wellbeing. With a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity and health and wellness, Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more, please visit www.dht.org.
